GEMS promotes two of its own

Tuesday

Two Gaston County natives, each with more than a decade of first-responder experience, received recent promotions at the county's largest emergency medical agency.

Lisa Gunn and Jessica Ross will serve Gaston Emergency Medical Services as major of business services and training major, respectively. Each says they reached their position through hard work and dedication, not a desire to become one of the first women to hold their job titles.

"I'll be honest with you," Ross said. "When I was in the military, I saw a lot of females who were leaders and I did not want to be like them. I felt like they were trying to prove something that they deserved. As far as the role models here, they were male. It wasn't because of that. I wanted to do something, I worked my butt off, and it happened."

Ross spent seven years in the Army as a logistics specialist before leaving the military to deal with a difficult pregnancy. She then went to work as a certified nursing assistant, deciding she ultimately wanted to become a nurse.

But, after being hired at Gaston Emergency Medical Services in 2007, she quickly realized she wanted to continue as a paramedic.

"I got out here and ended up loving it, so I didn't go back to nursing," Ross said. "You're taking care of people and seeing them at their lowest, when they're in need. Out here nothing is organized. You're in control of the entire scene."

Since joining GEMS, Ross has obtained a bachelor's degree from Western Carolina University and is in the process of acquiring a master's degree. She held roles of field paramedic, field training officer and lieutenant before accepting her latest role, which has her leading the training efforts at the agency.

Gunn got her start in emergency medical treatment while working as a volunteer firefighter in 1989. It was there that she met the volunteers with the Bessemer City Rescue Squad and the idea piqued her interest.

"Once I got into it, and saw the time that it took to go to school, get your basic, etc., I knew it was something I'd continue on with."

Gunn was hired as a basic EMT at GEMS in 1991 and has had promotions since to EMT intermediate, EMT paramedic, lead worker captain and her current position.

Gunn, like Ross, grew up in Gaston County. She attended Hunter Huss High School and didn't want to leave the community she grew up in.

"It's rewarding to serve the people where I live," she said. "There's chances I could've gone to other counties. I don't think it would've been rewarding as this county where I live."

Gunn will oversee the department's revenue cycle management process and be responsible for the department's human resources records.

Deputy Chief Jamie McConnell said he is proud of the two's accomplishments.

"We're very close to being 50-50 (males to females). It's a very close mix," McConnell said. "I think the fact the two females were promoted, it represents the fact we have the diversity. But... it's based on their merit, not that they are male or female."

You can reach Adam Lawson at 704-869-1842 or on Twitter @GazetteLawson.

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